History's five worst Padres trades

December 1981: Ozzie Smith goes to St. Louis

In the winter of 1981, the Padres traded Ozzie Smith to St. Louis to Garry Templeton in a six-player deal triggered by discord between each club and its respective shortstop. Templeton went on to play nine seasons in San Diego, with one All-Star season. Meantime, in St. Louis, Smith became a World Series champion, a 14-time All-Star, an 11-time Gold Glover and, ultimately, a Hall of Famer.

/ APShare

2

June 1989: John Kruk shipped out

After John Kruk got off to a .184 start in 1989, the Padres traded the West Virginian, along with Randy Ready, to the Phillies for Chris James. In Philadelphia, Kruk became a three-time All-Star. Just months after joining San Diego, James, Sandy Alomar and Carlos Baerga were dealt to the Indians for Joe Carter, who contributed to one solid Padres season before being traded to Toronto, where he helped the Blue Jays win the 1992 World Series.

Share

3

July 1993: Fred McGriff traded for three minor leaguers

Less than a month after dealing Gary Sheffield to the Marlins, the Padres continued their notorious 1993 fire sale by sending Fred McGriff to the Braves for outfielders Melvin Nieves and Vince Moore and pitcher Donnie Elliott. Unlike with the Sheffield trade, which netted Trevor Hoffman, the Padres didn't get so lucky. McGriff finished his career with 493 home runs. Nieves, Moore and Elliott -- all minor leaguers at the time -- faded even further into obscurity.

Share

4

August 1998: Randy Myers backfires

During their 1998 drive to the NL pennant, the Padres sent a minor league catcher to Toronto for reliever Randy Myers -- an attempt at covering up what, in reality, was a waiver claim gone awry. Fearing Myers would be traded to Atlanta, the Padres claimed the lefty, only to have the Blue Jays happily oblige. Myers would allow 14 runs in just 17 1/3 innings for the Padres. What's more, San Diego was left on the hook for the rest of his $13.6 million contract.

/ APShare

5

August 2003: Jason Bay, Oliver Perez for Brian Giles

Back in the dregs of their 20-year futility, the Pirates pulled off a trade that still stands as one of their best -- and one of the Padres' worst. San Diego shipped Jason Bay, Oliver Perez and Cory Stewart to Pittsburgh for Brian Giles, who never again approached his 30-homer days. Meantime, the youngsters the Padres had nurtured blossomed -- in 2004, Bay was named Rookie of the Year, while Perez struck out 239 in 196 innings. Bay went on to become a three-time All-Star.